Breast removal ruined Carol's life

CAROL Wright used to feel like a beautiful, confident woman when she stood in front of the mirror.

That was before her right breast was incorrectly removed by former Mackay Base Hospital surgeon Dr Abdalla Khalafalla in 2006, leaving her with horrifying physical and emotional scars.

The 49-year-old woman from Cannonvale is one of 68 patients from Mackay Base and Proserpine hospitals whose operations by Dr Khalafalla have been clinically reviewed and included in a damning summary of care statement issued by a senior Queensland Health surgeon yesterday.

Of those 68 patients, 36 were identified as having an inadequate clinical outcome.

The review was a result of a report by the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) which stated Egyptian-trained Dr Khalafalla had been allowed to operate on more than 500 patients without appropriate supervision over a two-year period between 2004 and 2006.

Patients whose cases were reviewed are currently being contacted by the Queensland Health Commissioner. The results of their summary of care statements are being explained to them.

Ms Wright said she was told, via phone, by the Commissioner, on February 18, that Dr Khalafalla did not follow three medical procedures that would have revealed she did not need a mastectomy.

“I had a partial lumpectomy performed by Dr Khalafalla on May 4, 2006, after I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.

“I was told the results were sent to pathology and then onto Dr Khalafalla who explained to me he needed to remove more breast tissue to see if the cancer had spread.

“He told me I would need a full mastectomy and the surgery was scheduled for two days later.

“After the breast was removed I was told that no cancer cells were found in it - I was devastated.”

Ms Wright said the Commissioner had told her that a wide incision of her breast would have discovered the same result - without drastic surgery.

She said she can't imagine life ever returning to normal.

“I feel about as attractive as a train wreck,” she said.

“My relationship with my husband is suffering because of my low self esteem.

“I keep thinking I should have asked for a second opinion but how was I to know? You trust your doctor, right?”

Ms Wright said she had been left feeling confused by the Commissioner's phone call.

“I was asked if I had any ongoing problems as a result of the operation,” she said.

“I told the Commissioner my quality of life was suffering - I had pain in my right arm and I was depressed.”

Ms Wright said the Commissioner told me to make an appointment with a specialist for an assessment.

“They told me that Queensland Health would cover that cost but because there are none in Mackay I have to travel to Brisbane,” she said.

Ms Wright said compensation wasn't mentioned.

“Not that it would replace my womanhood,” she said.

“Whatever they do is not going to bring my breast back. It shouldn't have been allowed to happen in the first place.”

A spokesperson for Queensland Health said any patient with any remaining concerns following the completion of this exhaustive review process would be encouraged to access the Health Quality and Complaints Commission conciliation process.